Aries
Americannoun
-
Arietis
genitive
-
Astronomy. the Ram, a zodiacal constellation between Pisces and Taurus.
-
Astrology.
-
the first sign of the zodiac: the cardinal fire sign.
-
a person born under this sign, usually between March 21st and April 19th.
-
noun
-
astronomy a small zodiacal constellation in the N hemisphere lying between Taurus and Pisces on the ecliptic and having a second-magnitude star
-
astrology
-
Also called: the Ram. the first sign of the zodiac, symbol ♈, having a cardinal fire classification, ruled by the planet Mars. The sun is in this sign between about March 21 and April 19
-
a person born during the period when the sun is in this sign
-
adjective
Usage
What does Aries mean? Aries is the name of a constellation that is interpreted as resembling a ram. It can also be referred to as the Ram. A constellation is a group of stars that appear near each other in the sky—especially a group that has been given a name. Aries is considered one of the 12 zodiacal constellations—constellations that appear within a particular portion of the sky called the zodiac. In astronomy, the zodiac is the band of sky along which the paths of the sun, the moon, and the planets appear to move. Despite its basis in astronomy, the word zodiac is mainly associated with and most often used in the context of astrology, the nonscientific practice in which the positions of heavenly bodies at certain times are thought to influence or be correlated with human behavior and events. In astrology, zodiac refers to a diagram (often a circular one) representing the zodiac belt and showing the symbols associated with each of the 12 constellations or sections, which are called the signs of the zodiac. Aries is one of these signs. It is situated between Pisces and Taurus and is considered the first sign of the zodiac. The other signs of the zodiac are Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Aquarius. The position of the sun in a particular portion of the zodiac at the moment of a person’s birth is thought to correlate with their personality. This is what people are referring to when they talk about their zodiac sign (or star sign or often just sign). People whose sign is Aries are those born between March 21 and April 19. The word Aries can be used as a noun to refer to someone who is born during this time, as in I was born in late March, so I’m an Aries. The word Arien can be used to mean the same thing. It can also be used as an adjective form of Aries. Aries should not be confused with Ares, the name of the Greek god of war. Example: My favorite constellation is Aries, and not just because I’m an Aries!
Etymology
Origin of Aries
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: ram
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
If you meet an Aries, they’re like, “Let’s go here, let’s do this, let’s go there.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2025
He added emojis representing the zodiac signs Aries, Pisces and Gemini.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2025
The singer's father, Geoff, is currently in Buenos Aries, waiting for his son's body to be released and returned to the UK.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2024
Iranian forces seized the Portuguese-flagged ship, the MSC Aries, as tensions between Iran and Israel were rising.
From New York Times ● May 3, 2024
Aries took a big sigh and tapped his furry foot.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
A line drawn from γ Andromedae through β Trianguli points out α Arietis.
From A Field Book of the Stars by William Tyler Olcott
This is α Arietis, the first point in the constellation of that name, which signifies the Ram, and from which the right ascensions of the stars are measured on the celestial sphere.
From The Astronomy of Milton's 'Paradise Lost' by Thomas Nathaniel Orchard
His observations could not have been very extensive or very carefully conducted, for there are many double stars much wider than γ Arietis which Hooke could certainly have separated if he had examined them.
From Pleasures of the telescope An Illustrated Guide for Amateur Astronomers and a Popular Description of the Chief Wonders of the Heavens for General Readers by Garrett Putman Serviss
The star Arietis was on one side of the Moon and Pollux on the other.
From Captain Cook's Journal During the First Voyage Round the World by James Cook
According to Al-Sufi, the stars β and γ Arietis were called by the Arabians al-scharatain, “the two marks.”
From Astronomical Curiosities Facts and Fallacies by J. Ellard Gore
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
